March 6, 2007

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SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR
Certification of Identity

    A. JUSTIFICATION

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.  Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.  Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of information.
The collection is necessary to identify individuals requesting information under   the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).  This certification is required under 5 U.S.C. Section 552a (2018).
 2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used.  Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection.

The information is used by the FOIA office that the request is forwarded to.  The purpose of the form is to help identify first-party requesters when information on themselves is requested. The FOIA Office will file this form with the FOIA request in an individual file. This form is being converted to a Common Form due to the interest from other agencies wanting to use the form.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection.  Also, describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden.

Use of an electronic signature is acceptable.  This form may be filled out and filed electronically.  
	
 4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.  Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item A.2 above.

The form is used to ensure that a Certificate of Identity is on file. This information is not available elsewhere. 

 5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

There is no significant impact on small business or other private entities.

 6. Describe the consequence to federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

Less frequent is not an option to protect personal information and to meet the requirements of 5 U.S.C. Section 552a (2018).

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

    • requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

    • requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

    • requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

    • requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than three years;

    • in connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

    • requiring the use of statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

    • that includes a pledge of confidentially that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

    • requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentially to the extent permitted by law.

There are no special circumstances.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB.  Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments.   Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every 3 years -- even if the collection-of-information activity is the same as in prior periods.  There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation.  These circumstances should be explained.

The 60-day notice was submitted to the Office of Federal Register (OFR) to be published for public comment on June 5, 2026, 91 FR 34251.  No public comments were received.  The 30-day notice was submitted to the OFR on August 18, 2026, 91 FR 53425 and is open for public comment until September 18, 2026.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payments or gifts to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

No government funds will be used as payment or for gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

The certifications are maintained by the FOIA offices that provide the individual with the requested information pursuant to 5 U.S.C. Section 552.  While no particular statements offering assurances of confidentiality are provided to the individual on the certification form, the FOIA office does comply with PII procedures. Any information provided may also be disclosed pursuant to a “routine use” under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a, listed in a DOJ System of Records Notice, which may include: JUSTICE/DOJ-004 Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and Mandatory Declassification Review Records CMS (82 FR 24151, 152 (5-25-2017)) for the Department of Justice, available at https://www.justice.gov/opcl/doj-systems-records#DOJ. 

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private.  This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

No records of a sensitive nature are maintained.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information.  The statement should:

    • Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated.  Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates.  Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable.  If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance.  General, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

    • If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form.

    • Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories.  The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here.  Instead, this cost should be included in Item 14.


Estimated Annualized Respondent Cost and Hour Burden
Activity
Number of Respondents
Frequency
Total Annual Responses
Time Per Response
Total Annual Burden (Hours)
Certificate of Identity 
69,000
1
69,000
.50hours
34,500hrs






Unduplicated Totals
69,000

69,000

34,500hrs

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information.  (Do not include the cost of any hour burden shown in Items 12 and 14).

    • The cost estimate should be split into two components:  (a) a total capital
and start up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life); and (b) a
total operation and maintenance and purchase of service component.  
		The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, 
		maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information.  Include descriptions of 
methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred.  Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

    • If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance.  The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate.  In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

    • Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

There is no new cost or annual cost associated with this collection. OIP does not believe that there is any cost burden on respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of this information. The only cost for respondents will be the time necessary to complete the survey.

14. Provide estimates of the annualized cost to the Federal Government.  Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.  Agencies also may aggregate cost estimates from Items 12, 13, and 14 into a single table.
 
 The government is required by 5 U.S.C. § 552a to collect this information so as to ensure records are not wrongfully disclosed by the Department. This form makes it easier for agencies to conduct this required analysis by providing a legally acceptable, streamlined form for identification verification purposes. Without this form clearly enumerating the right information required by agencies to satisfy these requests, it will cost the Federal Government more money overall to further analyze information provided by requesters and identify what information is still required to verify their identities. 
As such, there is no cost to the Government for using this form. 
	
15.	Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.

The proposed rule amends the Department of Justice’s Privacy Act implementation regulations, including its Privacy Act record access and amendment procedures. Additionally, this rule includes guidance on processing Privacy Act requests to access or amend covered records, as designated under the Judicial Redress Act of 2015, and expand protections on the Department’s maintenance of Social Security account numbers, in accordance with the Social Security Number Fraud Prevention Act of 2017.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulations, and publication.  Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used.  Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

The result of this information collection will not be published.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

We are requesting no exemption. 

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.

This collection of information does not include any exceptions to the certificate statement.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATON EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS.
This collection does/does not contain statistical data.